Parched from a blisteringly hot summer, winter aficionados pore over snow reports, mountain conditions and trail maps, strategy sessions ensue over where to go this season and how to get there. That’s when the reality check sets in, notes AP9 TodaysEscapes. There’s a hefty price tag attached to skiing and snowboarding. While discount programs like AP9 TodaysEscapes can help defray travel costs, other expenses like lift tickets, equipment and clothing can carve a serious dent in your wallet — when all you really want to do is carve the perfect turn.

Fortunately, AP9 TodaysEscapes members can also log in at DealPass for access to savings with major sporting equipment stores and clothiers.

Program benefits aside, there’s still plenty of green to be saved for those craving the white stuff. AP9 TodaysEscapes offers insider tips that will help fund your ski habit:

– Join a local ski club. Most ski clubs charge low annual dues (around $40 per person) and own a lodge with dorm-style rooms at a nearby ski resort. Members can “reserve” a bunk at the lodge for a nominal fee (sometimes as low as $15 a night). Your membership may also include discounted lift tickets.

– Call in “sick.” If you wake up on a beautiful winter weekday and the thought of missing out on perfect powder conditions makes you sick, take a personal day and head for the hills. Most mountains offer special rates for midweek lift tickets.

– Take inventory. To avoid costly purchases on the mountain, where everything is premium priced, take a few minutes at home to unpack your gear bag and take stock of your accessories. Make sure you pack weather-appropriate hats, gators, goggles, gloves and hand or foot warmers.

– Lighten your lift ticket. Many resorts offer discounts on pre-purchased bundles of lift tickets. Local ski and ride shops often sell discounted tickets. Tune in to radio stations that give away tickets as part of a promotional campaign. And sign up for your favorite ski resort’s e-newsletter so you can learn about special offers as they become available.

– Recruit a friend. Resorts offer drastically reduced “learn to ski or ride” packages for first-timers that include equipment rental, a lesson and a lift ticket. The bonus? Some resorts will also give out a free companion ticket to the friend who “recruited” the newbie. Sweet!

– Shop off-mountain or better yet, off-season. At the beginning of the season, ski and ride shops that still have last year’s equipment and clothing in stock are willing to practically give the gear away. Then, once President’s Day Week has passed, you’ll see prices begin to drop again. Shops also start selling their demonstration or “demo” equipment. Demo equipment tends to be high-end and you can buy it for a fraction of its retail value. Just check it over carefully to make sure it’s in good condition.

And one last word of advice from AP9 TodaysEscapes: When buying equipment, all prices are negotiable. Never, ever pay the sticker price.

About AP9 TodaysEscapes
AP9 TodaysEscapes is a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC. Headquartered in Stamford, Conn., Adaptive Marketing is a category leader in both membership and loyalty programs, bringing value direct to consumers through an array of benefits in healthcare, discounts, security, personal property and personals. Members may access their benefits at DealPass.com, an online portal for Adaptive Marketing membership programs. With broad online and offline distribution capabilities, Adaptive Marketing offers its corporate client partners effective tools to enhance market presence, strengthen customer affinity and generate additional value through programs, such as AP9 TodaysEscapes.

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